Thumb piece lock spindle actuator

ABSTRACT

A thumb piece lock spindle actuator has a frame mounted on a door. A thumb piece is rotated about a first axis on the frame by depression of a thumb plate against spring pressure and lifts a thumb piece contactor, such as a roller, parallel to the first axis into direct abutment with an engaging face on a bolt actuating spindle rotatable with respect to the frame about a second axis at right angles to the first axis, the engaging face being parallel to the second axis.

United States Patent [191 Schlage [451 Feb. 11,1975

[ THUMB PIECE LOCK SPINDLE ACTUATOR [75] Inventor: Ernest L. Schlage, Burlingame,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Schlage Lock Company, San

Francisco, Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 395,275

[52] U.S. C1 292/33613, 70/D1G. 73, 74/96,

292/165, 292/DIG. 57

[51] Int. Cl. E05c 1/14 [58] Field of Search 70/464, DIG. 73; 74/96, 74/97; 292/165, 167, 336.3, DIG. 57

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS Brantingson 292/165 2,355,449 8/1944 Lakin 292/356 2,401,559 6/1946 Falk 292/165 3,287,054 11/1966 Russell et a1 292/3363 Primary E.\aminerAlbert G. Craig, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmLothrop & West [57] ABSTRACT A thumb piece lock spindle actuator has a frame mounted on a door. A thumb piece is rotated about a first axis on the frame by depression of a thumb plate against spring pressure and lifts a thumb piece contactor, such as a roller, parallel to the first axis into direct abutment with an engaging face on a bolt actuating spindle rotatable with respect to the frame about a second axis at right angles to the first axis, the engaging face being parallel to the second axis.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBI 1 19. 5

' sum 1 BF 4 V Nr 7 PATENTEU 1 3 55414 SHEET 3 BF 4 Lil THUMB PIECE LOCK SPINDLE ACTUATOR This invention contemplates a space linkage for transmitting motion between one body rotatable, at least in part, about one axis and a second body rotatable, at least in part, about another axis spaced from the one axis and lying in a plane normal to the one axis. While the linkage has many applications it has found especial use in door locks.

There is a particular form of door lock, often referred to as an entrance lock, in which on the lock exterior there is a stationary handle which can be grasped by the user. Adjacent the handle is a thumb piece that can be depressed by the users thumb. This motion actuates the lock by retracting the lock bolt. On the inside of the lock, generally opposite the thumb piece, is a rotatable knob or lever. This also has the function of withdrawing the lock bolt. Various different mechanisms have been provided for interconnecting the inside knob with the door bolt and for connecting the thumb piece with the door bolt. An example is disclosed in the Walter R. Schlage U.S. Pat. No. 1,944,470 of Jan. 23, 1934.

Often the location of the parts and their paths of motion are such that they are connected by various indirect, or remote and awkward connections involving many pieces, disadvantageous leverages, several different mountings and the like. This not only involves considerable lock machinery but also involves considerable cost and complexity.

It is an object of the invention to provide a thumb piece lock spindle actuator that is somewhat simpler than those heretofore known and which is an improvement over the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thumb piece lock spindle in which the door bolt actuation is quite straightforward and direct.

A further object of the invention is to provide a thumb piece lock spindle that can readily be adapted to currently available door lock hardware.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a thumb piece lock spindle that can easily, simply and economically be manufactured and serviced.

A still further object of the invention is in general to provide a thumb piece lock spindle involving a direct actuator and few parts.

Other objects, together withthe foregoing, are attained in the embodiments of the invention described in the accompanying description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation, portions being broken away, of a typical door installation in which the thumb piece lock spindle actuator of the invention isincorporated;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram in isometric projection showing one form of thumb piece lock spindle actuator pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view comparable to FIG. 3 but showing a different form of lock spindle actuator pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section on a vertical plane through a door panel showing a commercial form of thumb piece lock spindle actuator mounted therein and disposed in a passive position;

FIG. 6 is a view comparable to FIG. 5 but showing the actuator in an active position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing some of the interior mechanism in elevation, portions of the frame being broken away to reduce the size of the figure; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 8-8 of FIG. 7, with portions of the mechanism broken away or omitted to reduce the size of the figure.

In a typical installation, there is afforded a door frame 6 or jamb in which a door panel 7 is mounted to swing about a vertical axis so that the door edge 8 approaches and recedes from the frame edge 9. The panel is held in closed position by a door bolt 11 projecting into and removable from a strike 12 in the customary fashion. Usually the bolt 11 is a latch bolt. Mounted on the inside face 13 of the door panel is an interior, rotatable knob 14 effective to withdraw the latch bolt 11 and release the door panel from its frame.

Mounted on the exterior face 16 of the door is a frame 17 or base supporting a thumb plate 18 forming part of a thumb piece 19 and effective when depressed to withdraw the latch bolt 11.

In accordance with one form of the invention there is provided on the frame 17 an axle 21 rotatable about a first axis 22 extending in a plane parallel to the plane of the door panel and approximately horizontally. The thumb plate 18 projects from the axle 21 and is designed to be depressed in the direction of the arrow 23 for forceful rotation of the axle.

Also projecting from the axle 21 is a hook rod 24 having a cross bar 26 disposed substantially parallel to the first axis 22. The bar 26 affords a contact means immediately underlying an engaging face 27 formed on a tubular spindle 28. I

The spindle is of standard construction and is mounted to rotate with respect to the frame 17 about a second axis 29 disposed at right angles to the axis 22 and usually displaced some distance therefrom. The spindle 28 and its adjuncts are commercially available items. The spindle is normally connected to the inner knob 14 so that rotation of the knob comparably rotates the spindle 28. Conveniently, the spindle 28 is urged into a central position by aspring mechanism (not shown) and can be rotated in either direction to actuate the latch bolt 11.

Actuation is accomplished, for example, by a reciprocable plate 31 having an end bar 32 against which an impelling face 33 extending axially of the spindle 28 can abut. Another impelling face 34 is also effective to abut the end bar 32. The parts in FIG. 3 are shown in a central position with the latch bolt extended. When the spindle 28 is rotated at number of degrees in either direction the face 33 or the face 34 abuts the end bar 32 and so retracts the latch bolt 11 against the spring urgency.

When the thumb plate 18 is depressed, the axle 21 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 3, and the terminal cross bar 26 is lifted to abut the engaging face 27 spaced from the rotational axis 29. The spindle 28 is thus rotated in a clockwise direction. This involves the face 34 then abutting and shifting the bar 32 and so withdrawing the latch bolt 11. The return movement of the spindle is effected by the spring mechanism, which returns the spindle 28. In addition, if desired, the axle 21 can also be returned by an individual spring, not shown.

An alternate is disclosed in FIG. 4. The same thumb plate 18 is utilized to rotate an axle 21 about a first axis 22 with respect to the main frame. Also the spindle 28, the slide plate 31 and the latch bolt 11 are as before.

In this instance, instead of having a simple hook-like member 24 and 26 there is provided a loop 37 having parallel legs 38 and 39 extending radially from the axle 21 and forming a journal support for a roller 41. The roller is effective to present contact means to the engaging face 27 of the-spindle 28.

The operation of this device is substantially as previously described in that when the thumb plate 18 is depressed, preferably against spring pressure, the roller 41 is lifted against the edge 27 and the spindle 28 is rotated, counterclockwise in this instance, and the abutting edge 33 thereof contacts the upright end bar 32 and withdraws the latch bolt.

In a practical version of the mechanism, as shown in FIGS. -8, the door panel 7 has the rotary knob 14 mounted on the interior side thereof by the customary mounting 42. From the knob extends the standard spindle 28 having abutting edges 33 and 34.

On the exterior of the door panel 7 is disposed the frame 17 with a thumb piece extending into a convenient location for actuation. The thumb piece is comprised of a flat, wide exterior plate 46, often cast or wrought, which is permanently united with an interior portion 47, usually stamped. The arrangement is such that a narrow shank extends on the plate through a narrow opening 48 in the frame 17. The interior portion 47 underlies the shank and rocks on a fulcrum edge 49 of the opening 48 provided on the frame 17 for that purpose. In effect, the thumb piece rotates about a first, transverse, horizontal axis coincident with the fulcrum edge. The interior portion 47 is engaged by the respective ends 51 of springs 52 and 53, the other ends 54 of which abut the interior face of the frame 17. The springs urge the thumb piece against the fulcrum 49, excessive movement inwardly of the thumb piece being precluded by the wider portions of the exterior plate 46 bearing against the outer face of the frame 17.

The interior portion 47 is shaped to provide a pair of parallel arms 56 and 57 forming, in effect, a yoke. At their inner lower ends the arms serve as journal mounts for the ends of a roller 58 having its axis parallel to the thumb piece axis and spanning the space between the yoke arms. The yoke is situated midway between a pair of internally threaded tubes 61 and 62 outstanding from a bridged anchor plate 63 secured to bosses 64 on the inner face of the frame 17 by fastenings 66. The tubes 61 and 62 are in alignment with securing screws 67 extending through the mounting 42 for the interior knob 14. The screws engage the tubes in order to hold the entire assembly together and particularly to urge the frame 17 and the mounting 42 against the door panel 7.

With this arrangement, when the thumb plate 18 is depressed it rocks about the axis defined by the fulcrum edge 49 and swings the interior yoke portion 47 so that the roller 58 is lifted against the impelling face or edge 34 (FIG. 5) of the spindle 28 and so rotates the spindle with the result previously described. The roller 58 preferably has a reduced central portion 69 in order to clear a supporting boss 71 projecting inwardly from the frame 17. The boss has substantially the interior radius of the spindle 28 and can support the outboard end of the spindle against the lifting movement due to the rising roller 58.

The roller rotates the spindle until such time as the spindle reaches its stop (not shown), which thus also serves as a stop for the thumb mechanism. When pressure on the thumb plate is removed, the springs 52 and 53 are effective to rock the thumb piece about the fulcrum 49. The spring or springs that are part of the standard latch bolt mechanism rotate the spindle 28 in a reverse direction about the axis 29, and so restore the parts to their original positions.

With this arrangement the mechanism is greatly simplified over what heretofore has been available in that the thumb piece operates directly and immediately against a standard tubular spindle and translates the rotary motion of the thumb piece about the first axis into corresponding rotary motion of the spindle about the second axis without intermediate parts.

What is claimed is:

1. A thumb piece lock spindle actuator comprising a frame, a tubular spindle rotatable about a primary axis relative to said frame, means on said tubular spindle forming an engaging face including an exposed portion of the wall of said tubular spindle extending parallel to and radially spaced from said primary axis, a thumb piece, means for mounting said thumb piece on said frame for rotation about a secondary axis perpendicular to said primary axis, and contact means on said thumb piece spaced from said secondary axis and adapted directly to abut said engaging face.

2. An actuator as in claim 1 in which said thumb piece includes a yoke having a pair of arms and said contact means includes a roller extending between said arms.

3. An actuator as in claim 2 in which said roller turns about a roller axis parallel to said secondary axis.

4. An actuator as in claim 1 in which said engaging face is bounded by a rectilinear edge portion of the wall of said spindle extending parallel to said primary axis. 

1. A thumb piece lock spindle actuator comprising a frame, a tubular spindle rotatable about a primary axis relative to said frame, means on said tubular spindle forming an engaging face including an exposed portion of the wall of said tubular spindle extending parallel to and radially spaced from said primary axis, a thumb piece, means for mounting said thumb piece on said frame for rotation about a secondary axis perpendicular to said primary axis, and contact means on said thumb piece spaced from said secondary axis and adapted directly to abut said engaging face.
 2. An actuator as in claim 1 in which said thumb piece includes a yoke having a pair of arms and said contact means includes a roller extending between said arms.
 3. An actuator as in claim 2 in which said roller turns about a roller axis parallel to said secondary axis.
 4. An actuator as in claim 1 in which said engaging face is bounded by a rectilinear edge portion of the wall of said spindle extending parallel to said primary axis. 